CJ Perez questioned the charging foul called against him — his fourth — in just the second quarter of Game 1 of the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup finals on Wednesday, June 5.
Like a bull charging at the matador, San Miguel ace CJ Perez drove through the middle and soared for the layup that drew a blocking foul from Meralco big man Cliff Hodge.
Bolts coach Luigi Trillo used his head coach challenge in hopes of flipping the call. It was successful.
In a reversal, officials inflicted a charging infraction on Perez instead with still 2:29 left in the second period of the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup finals opener on Wednesday, June 6.
[ALSO READ: PBA: Chris Banchero, Chris Newsome lead Meralco to Game 1 win vs. San Miguel]
It did not sit well with Perez and the rest of the Beermen coaching staff as the 6-foot-1 slasher incurred his fourth foul that early into the match.
[WATCH: PBA Game Highlights: Meralco subdues San Miguel in Finals opener]
While Perez still ended up with 20 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals in San Miguel's eventual 93-86 loss to the Bolts, he did not hide his frustration when he talked to reporters after the match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Malaking epekto 'yun. Finals ngayon, eh. Hindi dapat matatawagan 'yung mga ganoon kaninipis na foul,” said Perez, who had to sit out a huge chunk of the third period.
San Miguel coach Jorge Gallent, CJ Perez and the rest of the team react to the reversal of the foul called on Cliff Hodge during Game 1 of the Beermen's PBA finals battle with Meralco. | Photo (c) RM Chua
“Nothing against the, ano naman. Pero siyempre, finals 'to. Kailangan nating dumepensa nang maayos. Malaking bagay na nagkaroon ako ng apat na foul.”
[ALSO READ: PBA: ‘Super hungry’ Cliff Hodge vows to give his all as he eyes first title with Meralco Bolts]
Perez, whose team scored a measly 35 in the next two quarters — its lowest in any half this conference — said the situation should have led to a jump ball instead of an offensive foul.
“'Yun nga, eh. Hindi ko rin alam kung paano nila aanuhin 'yung mga sa referee. Pero I think, kung successful 'yung challenge nila, I think that's a jump ball, eh. Hindi naman, but tumawag ng offensive,” said Perez.
But the former Lyceum star did not want to dwell on that anymore, saying the Beermen are figuring out how to thresh out their flaws that led to their downfall in the best-of-seven opener.
“Pero tapos na 'yun. Magpo-focus kami sa Game 2. Mahaba-habang series pa 'to. Makakapag-prepare kami nang maayos,” said Perez.
CJ Perez passes the ball to San Miguel teammate Chris Ross. | Photo (c) RM Chua
Among those problems were turnovers.
The Beermen uncharacteristically botched possessions 19 times, and the Bolts scored 18 points off them.
[ALSO READ: 'It's just one game': Chris Newsome says more work to be done after Meralco's Game 1 stunner over San Miguel in PBA Finals]
“Ang dami naming turnovers. We're not moving the ball well. Sa energy and offensive rebounds, doon kami natalo,” said Perez.
“I think si Cliff (Hodge), may siyam na offensive rebounds siya. Malaki 'yun. Kaya kailangan naming i-match 'yung energy nila.”
San Miguel and Meralco meet anew in Game 2 on Friday, June 7, at the same venue.
Match kicks off at 7:30 p.m.